File drawer and assembly for supporting differently sized hanging file folders

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, there are provided a convertible bottomless file drawer and a file folder support assembly adapted to the bottomless file drawer for storing hanging file folders of different predetermined sizes. The bottomless file drawer includes a rectangular frame that includes a plurality of outside walls and a middle wall that includes a u-shaped channel having a bottom, and a first wall and a second wall dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments of a first predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a first predetermined size. The file folder support assembly including an inverse u-shaped channel having an inner tubular member disposed centrally therein, the tubular member of the inverse channel being adapted to seat in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall and the u-shaped channel of the middle wall being adapted to seat in the inverse channel, and a first projection extending horizontally from a first lower edge of the inverse channel, the projection having an outer wall, the top of which is coplanar with the plurality of outside walls of the frame, the outer wall reducing the first predetermined dimension of a first compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to file drawers for storing hanging file folders. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bottomless file drawer eliminating the need for box drawer construction and reducing the overall clearance dimensions required to store hanging file folders, and an assembly adapted thereto for converting the bottomless file drawer from storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size to storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Business desks, cabinets or other similar type units generally provide at least one file folder drawer, having a box drawer construction (four walls and bottom), adapted to store hanging files folders for retaining documents of different sizes, e.g., legal, letter and the like. The file folder drawers generally vary in their dimensions to accommodate the hanging file folders for the particular documents required to be stored.

More specifically, the height of the file drawer is generally at least as high as the width of the actual documents to be stored. Additional height is required for the box drawer construction in which the bottom is secured by grooves in the walls some distance above the lower plane of the walls. Furthermore, the hanging file folders that store the documents require additional height, as they are larger than the documents that they store, and further additional buffer height is needed between the hanging file folders and the bottom of the file folder drawer in order to avoid bending and/or damaging the documents.

The upper perimeter of the file folder drawer generally includes a u-shaped channel or rail for receiving the supporting or hooking members of the hanging file folders to be stored in the file folder drawer. A variety of assemblies have been designed to subdivide the file folder drawer of various dimensions to provide efficient storage space for the different types of file folders, i.e., accommodating storage of different document sizes.

However, as file drawers having box drawer construction have to be high enough to accommodate the file folders stored therein as described above, they may not be advantageous for other applications/cabinets that accommodate low file drawer constructions and that have limitations as to the overall clearance allotted to the file drawer construction.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a bottomless file drawer for different applications eliminating the need for the box drawer construction and reducing the overall clearance dimensions, and an assembly adapted thereto for converting the bottomless file drawer from storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size to storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bottomless file drawer that eliminates the need for box drawer construction and reduces the overall clearance dimensions required to store hanging file folders, and an assembly adapted thereto for converting the bottomless file drawer from storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size to storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a file folder support assembly adapted to a bottomless file drawer having a rectangular frame that includes a plurality of outside walls and a middle wall that includes a u-shaped channel having a bottom, and a first wall and a second wall dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments of a first predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a first predetermined size, the file folder support assembly comprising: an inverse u-shaped channel having an inner tubular member disposed centrally therein, the tubular member of the inverse channel being adapted to seat in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall and the u-shaped channel of the middle wall being adapted to seat in the inverse channel; and a first projection extending horizontally from a first lower edge of the inverse channel, the projection having an outer wall, the top of which is coplanar with the plurality of outside walls of the frame, the outer wall reducing the first predetermined dimension of a first compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a convertible bottomless file drawer for storing hanging file folders of different predetermined sizes, the file drawer comprising: rectangular frame that includes a plurality of outside walls and a middle wall that includes a u-shaped channel having a bottom, and a first wall and a second wall dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments of a first predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a first predetermined size; and a file folder support assembly including: an inverse u-shaped channel having an inner tubular member disposed centrally therein, the tubular member of the inverse channel being adapted to seat in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall and the u-shaped channel of the middle wall being adapted to seat in the inverse channel; and a first projection extending horizontally from a first lower edge of the inverse channel, the projection having an outer wall, the top of which is coplanar with the plurality of outside walls of the frame, the outer wall reducing the first predetermined dimension of a first compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description in combination with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a bottomless file drawer for storing one or more hanging file folders of a first predetermined size;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary top view of the bottomless file drawer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the bottomless file drawer of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary assembly adapted to the bottomless file drawer of FIGS. 1-3 for storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of the assembled bottomless drawer that includes the bottomless file drawer of FIGS. 1-3 and the assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary top view of the assembled bottomless file drawer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the bottomless file drawer of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-section view of bottomless file drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-3 storing hanging file folders of the first predetermined size;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-section view of bottomless file drawer depicted in FIGS. 4-7 storing hanging file folders of the second predetermined size; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view of a cabinet that houses the bottomless file drawers depicted in FIGS. 1-9 for storing hanging file folders of first and second predetermined sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bottomless file drawer eliminating the need for box drawer construction and reducing the overall clearance dimensions required to store hanging file folders, and an assembly adapted thereto for converting the bottomless file drawer from storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size to storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary perspective view of a bottomless file drawer 100 for storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size. As will be described hereinafter, the first predetermined size is dictated by the overall width of the bottomless file drawer 100. The bottomless file drawer 100 can be made of any material, such as wood, metal, plastic, combination thereof, or a composite material. Preferably, the bottomless file drawer 100 is made of metal for enhanced structural integrity, as the increasing weight of the hanging file folders will continue to load the bottomless file drawer 100 greatly.

The bottomless file drawer 100 comprises studs 112 on its right side and studs 114 on its left side for engaging respective heavy duty drawer slides (not shown), permitting the file drawer 100 to slide in and out in relation to a cabinet or other device (not shown) in which it is installed. The studs 112, 114 are preferably self clinching to the drawer slides, although a variety of different attachment mechanisms may be employed to affix the slides to the file drawer 100.

The file drawer 100 further comprises sidewalls 102, 104, back wall 106 and front wall 108. Each of the walls 102-108 includes along its top edge a respective hem flange 116, 118, 120 and 122. The hem flange is obtained by folding each of the walls 102-108 about 180 degrees along its top edge to obtain a rounded edge. The hem flanges 116-122 provide the rigidity to the file drawer 100 and also facilitate the supporting of hooking members of the hanging file folders that the bottomless file drawer 100 will store. In embodiments of the bottomless file drawer 100 which are made of different materials, the hem flanges 116-122 may easily be replaced by rails or u-shaped channels (of wood, plastic, metal or composite) along the top edges of walls 102-108 for supporting the hooking members of the hanging file folders that the file drawer 100 will store.

Further in reference to FIG. 1, the bottomless file drawer 100 comprises a middle wall 110 which provides added rigidity to the bottomless file drawer 100 and subdivides the bottomless file drawer 100 into two partitions as will be described below. The middle wall 110 is preferably a tubular member with a rectangular cross-section, which includes along its top edge a u-shaped channel 128, formed by left hem flange 124 and right hem flange 126. In embodiments of the file drawer 100 that are made of different materials, the hem flanges 124, 126 may easily be replaced by rails or a u-shaped channel (of wood, plastic, metal or composite) along the top edge of middle wall 110 for supporting hooking members of hanging file folders that the file drawer 100 will store. The middle wall 100 separates the bottomless file drawer 100 into two partitions labeled as partition A and partition B. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the u-shaped channel 128 of the middle wall 110 provides an independent hem flange 124, 126 to the respective partition A, B for supporting the hooking members of the hanging file folders that the file drawer 100 will store in each of the partitions A, B. It is to be noted that all hem flanges 116-126 are level with one another.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary top view of the bottomless file drawer 100 for storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size depicted in FIG. 1. As is clearly seen in FIG. 2, the bottomless file drawer 100 includes flanges 202 and 204 for facilitating the bottomless file drawer to easily slide in and out of a cabinet (or unit) in which it is installed. It is to be noted that each sidewall 102/flange 202 and sidewall 104/flange 204 may be manufactured from sheet metal into respective one-piece “L” constructions. The bottomless file drawer 100 further includes flange channels 206, 208 along the back wall 106 and the front wall 108. It is to be noted that each of the back wall 106/flange channel 206 and the front wall 108/flange channel 208 may be manufactured from sheet metal into respective one-piece “L” channel constructions. The flange channel 208 is narrower than the flange channel 206 to allow for travel of drawer slides affixed to studs 112, 114 in back of unit in which the bottomless file drawer is installed. While both flange channels 206, 208 increase the rigidity of the unit, the front flange channel 208 also provides a continuous handle or pull for sliding the file drawer 100 in and out of the unit in which it is installed. FIG. 2 also more clearly depicts the respective partitions A and B for storing the hanging file folders. As will be described in more detail with in reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the hanging file folders will be stored parallel to the back and front walls 106, 108 and transverse to the sidewalls 102, 104 and the middle wall 110.

Further in reference to FIG. 2, the preferred outer dimensions of the bottomless file drawer 100 are about 33 inches wide, about 15½ inches deep and about 3½ inches high. The preferred inner dimensions of the bottomless file drawer 100 are about 31½ inches from sidewall 102 to sidewall 104, and about 13½ inches from back wall 106 to front wall 108. The preferred dimensions of each of the partitions A and B are about 15½ inches wide (from each of the sidewalls 102, 104 to the middle wall 110) and about 13½ inches deep (from back wall 106 to front wall 108). These foregoing dimensions facilitate the storage of legal-sized hanging file folders, which are generally 15¾ inches wide and 9¼ deep.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view of the bottomless file drawer 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. As is clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the middle wall 110 is a hollow tubular member 310 with a rectangular cross-section, having a left wall 302, a right wall 308, bottom wall 306 and top wall 308. The cross-section of the tubular member 310 may easily be changed depending on the particular application, e.g., the tubular member 310 may have a square or other cross section. The top wall 308 includes along its length the u-shaped channel 128, defined by left hem flange 124 and right hem flange 126. The middle wall 110 is preferably constructed monolithically from sheet metal bent into a u-shape with hem flanges 124 and 126 formed at the open ends of the u-shape. A flat sheet metal plate is welded inside the u-channel, about the lower plane of the hem flanges 124, 126 and in parallel to the bottom of the u-channel. The metal plate increases the rigidity of the middle wall and provides a surface for the mounting or attaching of the assembly described in reference to FIGS. 4-7 and 9 below. In embodiments of the bottomless file drawer 100 that are made of other materials, the tubular member 310 may be of a similar or different cross-section depending on the material used and may be solid or hollow also depending on the material used.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary perspective view of the assembly 400 adapted to the bottomless file drawer 100 of FIGS. 1-3 for storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size using the bottomless file drawer 100. More specifically, the second predetermined size of the hanging file folder may be any size smaller than the first predetermined size of the hanging file folders, e.g., letter size, notepad size and the like. Preferably, the second predetermined size is letter size hanging file folders. The assembly 400 comprises an inverse u-shaped channel 401, projections 402 and 404 on the respective sides of inverse channel 401. The inverse u-shaped channel 401 includes a top wall 410, a left wall 412 and a right wall 414. The left and right projections 402, 404 include respective outer walls 420, 422 having along the top of their length hem flanges for storing hanging file folders as will be elucidated hereinafter in reference to FIG. 5.

Further in reference to FIG. 4, centered on the inner portion of the top wall 410 there is disposed a tubular member 408 having a square cross-section, which runs the length of the top wall 410. The tubular member 408 is adapted to sit firmly in the channel 128 of the middle wall 110, being bounded by hem flanges 126 and 128 and top wall 308. That is, the cross-section of tubular member is adapted to fit the depth and width of channel 128 firmly. In addition, hem flanges 126 and 128 fit the depth and width of the inverse u-shaped member 401 firmly, being bounded by walls 412 and 414. This type of double-fit coupling facilitates the centering of assembly 400 in respect to wall 110, and increases rigidity of the middle wall 110. A plurality of through holes 416 is provided through the top wall 410 of the inverse u-shaped member and the tubular member 408. A plurality of screws 418 is used to attach the assembly 400 to the middle wall 110 via through holes 416 to the top wall 308. Although preferably four screws 418 are used, any number of screws or other attachment mechanism may be used to attach or affix the assembly 400 to the middle wall 110. More specifically, tool-less hardware, such as thumbscrews or star knobs may be employed.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary perspective view of the assembled bottomless file drawer 500, which includes the bottomless file drawer 100 of FIGS. 1-3 and the assembly 400 of FIG. 4, for storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size. The assembly 400 of the bottomless file drawer 500 reduces the dimensions of partitions A and B of the bottomless file drawer 100 to those labeled as C and D for the second predetermined size. Preferably, the dimensions of each of the partitions C and D are about 12½ inches wide and 13½ inches deep. These preferable dimensions facilitate the hanging of letter size file folders in the bottomless file drawer 500. With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, walls 420, 422 include respective hem flanges 504, 508. It is to be noted that the hem flanges 504 and 508 are level with the other hem flanges 116-122 for storing file folders of the second predetermined size.

Now in particular reference to FIGS. 3-5, although two projections 402, 404 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 are preferable, it should be understood that only one of the projections 402 or 404 may be provided for facilitating the storing of differently sized hanging file folders in the respective partitions C and D. For example, assembly 400 may omit right wall 414, projection 404 and wall 422. In this case, the width dimension of tubular member 408, the top wall 401 and/or the location of the through holes 416 may be adjusted to free hem flange 126, thereby allowing the storing of the differently sized hanging file folders. Alternatively, the top wall 401 of assembly 400 may be constructed to form a u-channel (or be replaced therewith) for fitting in the u-channel of the middle wall 110 firmly. In this latter case, the newly formed channel may be directly affixed to the top of wall 308 (omitting the tubular member 408), or the height of the tubular member may be reduced to free hem flange 126, thereby allowing the storing of the differently sized hanging file folders. In this fashion, for example, partition C would store hanging file folders of the first predetermined size (e.g., legal size) and partition D would store hanging file folders of the second predetermined size (e.g., letter size).

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary top view of the assembled bottomless file drawer 500 of FIG. 5 for storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size. The outer dimensions of the bottomless file drawer 500 are identical with those of the bottomless file drawer 100 of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 more clearly depicts the respective partitions C and D for storing hanging file folders of the second predetermined size. The hanging file folders will be stored parallel to the back and front walls 106, 108 and transverse to the sidewalls 102, 104, as will be described in reference to FIG. 9 below. As discussed above in reference to FIG. 5, the preferred dimensions of each of the partitions C and D are about 12½ inches wide (from sidewall 102 to wall 420 and from sidewall 104 to wall 422) and about 13½ inches deep (from back wall 106 to front wall 108). These dimensions facilitate the storage of letter-sized hanging file folders. Each of the projections 402, 404 is approximately 3 inches wide (from wall 412 to wall 420 and from wall 414 to wall 422). By providing the assembly 400 with projections 402, 404 of varying widths, the bottomless file drawer 500 may be adapted to accommodate differently sized hanging file folders as described above in referenced to FIG. 4. It should be noted that practically any custom-made size hanging file folder could be accommodated by an appropriately dimensioned assembly 400.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view of the bottomless file drawer 500 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. As is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the assembly 400 is adapted to seat into the u-shaped channel 128 of the middle wall 110. More specifically, member 408 of the assembly 400 seats into channel 128 (having hem flanges 124, 126), which in turn is adapted to seat into the inverse channel 401 (having walls 412, 414) of the assembly 400. The assembly 400 is secured to the middle wall 100 via through holes 416 using a plurality of screws 418. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, a tight coupling is provided between the assembly 400 and the middle wall 110. This type of construction provides sufficient sectional modulus, that any off-center weight applied to the assembly 400 is spread through the entire bottomless file drawer 500. When the assembly is mounted to the middle wall 100, hem flanges 504 and 508 of the assembly are coplanar with hem flanges 116 and 118, providing level storage of hanging file folders in the bottomless file drawer 500.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view of bottomless file drawer 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 for storing hanging file folders of a first predetermined size. The file drawer 100 is adapted to store one or more hanging file folders 802 in partition A and one or more hanging file folders 804 in partition B. As described hereinabove in reference to FIGS. 1-3, file drawer 100 accommodates file folders 802, 804 that are of a first predetermined size, preferably legal-size. Alternate desired dimensions for the bottomless file drawer 100 may be used to accommodate file folders of a different size.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary cross-section view of bottomless file drawer 500 depicted in FIGS. 4-7 for storing hanging file folders of a second predetermined size. The file drawer 500 is adapted to store one or more hanging file folders 902 in partition C and one or more hanging file folders 904 in partition D. As described hereinabove in reference to FIGS. 4-7, file drawer 500 accommodates file folders 902, 904 that are of a second predetermined size, preferably letter-size. Also as described hereinabove, alternate desired dimensions for the projections 402, 408 may be used to accommodate file folders of a different size.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary perspective view of cabinet 1000 that houses bottomless file drawers 100, 500 depicted in FIGS. 1-9 for storing hanging file folders of first and second predetermined sizes. The cabinet 1000 is depicted as housing three bottomless file drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-9, i.e., one bottomless file drawer 100 and two bottomless file drawers 500. The cabinet 1000 comprises top wall 1002, sidewalls 1004, 1006, bottom wall 1008 and bottom stand 1010. Hinged doors 1012, 1014 are used to open and close the cabinet 1000. It is noted that cabinet's dimensions may be selected to house any number and combination of bottomless file drawers in accordance with FIGS. 1-9. That is, the dimensions may be selected to house any number of only bottomless file drawers 100 or only bottomless file drawers 500, or a combination thereof. In addition, the cabinet may be designed to house additional drawers of any variety (not shown) in combination with bottomless file drawers 100 and/or 500.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A file folder support assembly, the file support assembly adapted to a bottomless file drawer having a rectangular frame that includes a plurality of outside walls and a middle wall that includes a u-shaped channel having a bottom, a first wall and a second wall, dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments of a first predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a first predetermined size, the file folder support assembly comprising: an inverse u-shaped channel having an inner tubular member disposed centrally therein, the tubular member of the inverse channel being adapted to seat in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall and the inverse u-shaped channel being adapted to receive the u-shaped channel of the middle wall bounded by walls of the inverse u-shaped channel and the tubular member; and a first projection extending horizontally from a first lower edge of the inverse channel, the first projection having an outer wall, the top edge of of the outer wall being adapted to be coplanar with the top edges of the plurality of outside walls of the frame when the u-shaped channel of the middle wall is received by inverse u-shaped channel, the outer wall being adapted to reduce the first predetermined dimension of a first compartment of the file drawer to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.
 2. The file folder support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second projection extending horizontally from a second lower edge of the inverse channel, the projection having an outer wall, the top edge of of the outer wall being adapted to be coplanar with the top edges of the plurality of outside walls of the frame when the u-shaped channel of the middle wall is received by inverse u-shaped channel, the outer wall being adapted to reduce the first predetermined dimension of a second compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.
 3. The file folder support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for securely attaching the file folder support assembly to the middle wall of the file drawer.
 4. The file folder support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inverse channel, including the inner tubular member, is provided with at least one through hole and a respective at least one screw is adapted to secure receipt by the inverse channel of the u-shaped channel of the middle wall via the at least one through hole.
 5. The file folder support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top edge of the outer wall of the file folder support assembly includes a hem flange adapted to support hanging file folders.
 6. A convertible bottomless file drawer for storing hanging file folders of different predetermined sizes, the file drawer comprising: rectangular frame that includes a plurality of outside walls and a middle wall that includes a u-shaped channel having a bottom, a first wall and a second wall, dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments of a first predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a first predetermined size; and a file folder support assembly including: an inverse u-shaped channel having an inner tubular member disposed centrally therein, the tubular member of the inverse channel being adapted to seat in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall and the u-shaped channel of the middle wall being adapted to seat in the inverse channel, the u-shaped channel of the middle wall being bounded by walls of the inverse u-shaped channel and the tubular member; and a first projection extending horizontally from a first lower edge of the inverse channel, the first projection having an outer wall, the top of of the outer wall being adapted to be coplanar with the top edges of the plurality of outside walls of the frame when inverse channel is seated in the u-shaped channel of the middle wall, the outer wall being adapted to reduce the first predetermined dimension of a first compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.
 7. The convertible bottomless file drawer according to claim 6, wherein the file folder support assembly further comprises a second projection extending horizontally from a second lower edge of the inverse channel, the second projection having an outer wall, the top edge of the outer wall being coplanar with the top edges of the plurality of outside walls of the frame, the outer wall being adapted to reduce the predetermined dimension of a second compartment to a second smaller predetermined dimension for supporting hanging file folders of a second predetermined size.
 8. The convertible bottomless file drawer according to claim 1, wherein the file folder support assembly further comprises an attachment means for securely attaching the file folder support assembly to the middle wall of the file drawer.
 9. The convertible bottomless file drawer according to claim 1, wherein the inverse channel, including the inner tubular member, of the file folder support assembly is provided with at least one through hole and a respective at least one screw is adapted to securely attach the inverse channel to the u-shaped channel of the middle wall via the through hole.
 10. The convertible bottomless file drawer according to claim 1, wherein top edges of the walls of the frame and the file folder support assembly include hem flanges for supporting hanging file folders. 